{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "drl", "section": "76-G", "citation": "DRL § 76-G", "heading": "Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct", "text": ["§ 76-g. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct. 1. Except as otherwise provided in section seventy-six-c of this title or by other law of this state, if a court of this state has jurisdiction under this article because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless:", "(a) the parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction;", "(b) a court of the state otherwise having jurisdiction under sections seventy-six through seventy-six-b of this title determines that this state is a more appropriate forum under section seventy-six-f of this title; or", "(c) no court of any other state would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in sections seventy-six through seventy-six-b of this title.", "2. If a court of this state declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision one of this section, it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under sections seventy-six through seventy-six-b of this title.", "3. If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subdivision one of this section, it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be inappropriate. No fees, costs or expenses shall be assessed against a party who is fleeing an incident or pattern of domestic violence or mistreatment or abuse of a child or sibling, unless the court is convinced by a preponderance of evidence that such assessment would be clearly appropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this state unless authorized by law other than this article.", "4. In making a determination under this section, a court shall not consider as a factor weighing against the petitioner any taking of the child, or retention of the child after a visit or other temporary relinquishment of physical custody, from the person who has legal custody, if there is evidence that the taking or retention of the child was to protect the petitioner from domestic violence or the child or sibling from mistreatment or abuse."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/DOM/76-G", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "- **Subd. 1:** If NY's jurisdiction rests on the invoking party's **unjustifiable conduct** (e.g., wrongfully grabbing the child), the court **shall decline** unless: (a) all parents/acting-parents **acquiesced**; (b) the proper state finds NY more appropriate (§ 76-f); or (c) **no other state** would have jurisdiction. ★\n- **Subd. 2:** If declining, the court may fashion a remedy to protect the child and prevent repetition (e.g., stay until a proper case starts).\n- **Subd. 3:** The court **shall assess** necessary/reasonable **expenses** (costs, attorney's/investigative/witness/travel fees, child care) against the party who invoked jurisdiction — **unless** that would be inappropriate. ★ **No fees** against someone **fleeing domestic violence** or child/sibling abuse unless the court is convinced by a **preponderance** it's clearly appropriate. No fees against the state unless authorized elsewhere.\n- **Subd. 4:** The court **must NOT** hold against a petitioner any **taking/retention of the child** if there's evidence it was to **protect** from domestic violence or child/sibling abuse. ★", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/drl/76-g", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}